President Obama received a slap from members of his own party Tuesday as the Senate voted 50-49 to block his $447 billion jobs package.

The jobs plan, which the president has spent much of the last month touting on a cross-country tour, fell well short of the 60 votes it needed to proceed.

The only Democrats to vote against the measure were Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Jon Tester (Mont.), but a number of other centrists in the party indicated they would vote against the package even though they supported launching a debate on the measure.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) originally voted in favor, but changed his vote to 'no' in a procedural move to keep open the option of raising the issue again without filing for cloture.

All of the Republicans present on Tuesday voted against the motion.

However, the White House will be able to point out that a majority of the Senate voted with the president.

Democratic leaders held the vote open to give Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) a chance to vote for it, a move that highlighted their desire to show the package winning as many Democratic votes as possible.

Shaheen voted in favor of the measure later on Tuesday night. She arrived at the Capitol late after receiving a civic award in Boston.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) missed the vote for medical reasons.

Polling data has shown Obama has gained political momentum in recent weeks by barnstorming the country and challenging GOP leaders by name for obstructing his jobs agenda.

But Tuesday’s vote bolstered Republican leaders’ argument that opposition to the president’s agenda is bipartisan.

Even members of the Democratic Conference who agreed to proceed to the jobs measure questioned whether it is necessary legislation when the country is running a $1.5 trillion budget deficit.

“The truth of the matter is, most Democrats know just as well as I do that passing another stimulus and tax hike is a lousy idea — which is why the president is having such a hard time convincing many Democrats to vote for it,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said before the vote.

In the run-up to the vote, Obama’s political advisers portrayed it as a black-and-white partisan fight between a president trying to address the nation’s high unemployment rate and Senate Republican leaders more interested in partisan politics than the national good.

“Their strategy is to suffocate the economy for the sake of what they think will be a political victory,” Jim Messina, campaign manager of Obama for America, wrote in an email to supporters. “They think that the more folks see Washington taking no action to create jobs, the better their chances in the next election. So they’re doing everything in their power to make sure nothing gets done.”

Centrist Democrats undercut that narrative by speaking out against Obama’s plan, even though they voted to debate it.

This is not at all surprising. It was doomed almost out of the box, mostly because of the way Obama tried to sell it. "PASS THIS BILL!!!". Sorry, Mr. President, but that luster of your oratory skills has seemingly worn out its welcome.

CuriousJockAZ saidThis is not at all surprising. It was doomed almost out of the box, mostly because of the way Obama tried to sell it. "PASS THIS BILL!!!". Sorry, Mr. President, but that luster of your oratory skills has seemingly worn out its welcome.

A bill that Not One republican voted for ..... even with its popularity

But Filibustering and forcing supermajorities has become the New Norm ... has it not?

Bravo republicans ... you just gave a one Hell of an issue to campaign on

And a bill killed off by Democrats. Thanks.

As it was brought to your attention...

2 Democrats voted against it2 Democrats didn't vote on it

That's hardly something to boast as "Democratic Senate defeats Obama's jobs bill." If those numbers would have been significantly higher, yes, I would agree with you. But you're just making a mountain out of a molehill.

And by the way, the jobs bill is being reintroduced in smaller parts so that people can vote on the issues they agree with, rather than being forced to support the entire package. That was an issue Nelson had a concern about.

A bill that Not One republican voted for ..... even with its popularity

But Filibustering and forcing supermajorities has become the New Norm ... has it not?

Bravo republicans ... you just gave a one Hell of an issue to campaign on

And a bill killed off by Democrats. Thanks.

Killed off?

It was Filibustered Rid It had a majority of votes in the Senate ........ which under "normal" circumstances would have made it pass But the republicans have changed Washington ... where now you need a supermajority to pass ANYTHING

A bill that Not One republican voted for ..... even with its popularity

But Filibustering and forcing supermajorities has become the New Norm ... has it not?

Bravo republicans ... you just gave a one Hell of an issue to campaign on

And a bill killed off by Democrats. Thanks.

Killed off?

It was Filibustered Rid It had a majority of votes in the Senate ........ which under "normal" circumstances would have made it pass But the republicans have changed Washington ... where now you need a supermajority to pass ANYTHING